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THE 



HEBREW PRINCE: 



on, 



JONATHAN AND DAVID. 



A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. 

Written for COGSWELL & MACKENZIE, and played only by 

them. 



Copyright, 1885, by Warren H. Cogswell. All Rights 
Reserved. 



Caitcoit, |t. p. 

PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 
1885. 



^]^^f^»>^»^^»;^^^^^^»;^^»>:^.^i^^r^^ 



THE 



HEBREW PRINCE: 



OK, 



JONATHAN AND DAVID. 



A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. 

4 ^"<-— -. Wn^- . 



Copyright, 1885, by Warren H. Cogswell. All Rights 
Reserved. 



o JAN 6 1886A / 



PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 

1885. 






CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY. 



Jonathan, 

David, 

Saul, 

Samuel, 

Jesse, 

Deuteronomy, 

The King's Officer. 

The Witch of Endor. 

MicHAL, Saul's Daughter. 

Officers, soldiers, heralds, singers, attendants, etc. 



The Prince. 

The Shepherd Lad. 

The King. 

The Prophet. 

David's Father. 

The Boastful Guard. 



THE HEBREAV PRINCE. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. 
\^Martial music — singitig behind the scenes.^ 

Saul. Let us indeed rejoice ! for we have this day heaped 
the full measure of vengeance upon Amalek's fierce race ! Our 
ancient foe, cruel and bloody beyond all the tribes of earth, has 
been destroyed utterly and forever. Their king alone survives, 
and awaits our will. The Hebrew maidens once again un- 
trembling woo the timbrel, and the mothers of Israel may now 
cease their lamentations for slaughtered sons. What aged man 
do I behold coming hither .'' Ah ! 'tis the great prophet Sam- 
uel. What mission brings him here .? [Samuel ^/z/^?;'^-.] Ven- 
erable father, thy presence does me honor in this great day of 
warlike triumph ! Pronounce on me thy blessing, and thus 
crown the festal hour with Heaven's benediction on the finished 
enterprise. 

Samuel. Thou wast commanded to sweep Amalek from 
the earth, and leave not one stone upon another in all his bor- 
ders. Why, then, hast thou enriched thyself with forbidden 
flocks and herds "i 

Saul. True, we were commanded to destroy them utterly, 
but the people reserved them for sacrifice. 

Samuel. Sacrifice ! Know ye not that obedience is better 
than sacrifice .'' The Power that has exalted thee can also cast 
thee down. From this time God is departed from thee, and 
has rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy 
neighbor, who is better than thou, that all the world may know 
it is not a light matter to overrule the plans of the Supreme 
Director and Universal King. 

Scene II. — The home ^ Jesse. 

Samuel. Jesse, what is the name of thy youngest son.^ 
Jesse. David. 



Samuel. I desire to speak to hiin privately. Wilt thou 
bring: him unto me ? 

Jesse. I will, my lord. iJixiLj 

Samuel. \_Alone.'\ 1 am commanded to choose one of the 
sons of Jesse to be king in the place of Saul. The six eldest 
are tall, straight, and comely, but the Lord, who seeth not as 
man sceth, hath rejected them all, and hath chosen the seventh 
and youngest, even David. [Jesse andT)AV\T> enter. '\ 

Jesse. [7c> Samuel.] This is my youngest son David. [To 
David.] The revered prophet Samuel would speak to thee, 
my son. Listen to his words of wisdom, and treasure them 
above all gold and jewels. \_ExitJ\ 

Samuel. My son, what is thine occupation.-* 

David. I am a shepherd, and have charge of my father's 
flocks. 

Samuel. If a wolf or a bear should attack the flocks, to de- 
vour them, wovddst thou flee and escape from them.'' 

David. Would I flee from them and leave the flock to be 
torn by wild beasts.'' Never! I would front them with this 
strong staflVand as thou livest, I would surely overcome them 
and protect my charge. 

Samuel. But the wolf and the bear are fierce and strong, 
and thou wouldst be in very great peril for thy life. 

David. True ; but life is valuable for allotted work faith- 
fully done. Peril at the post of duty is all the safety a brave 
man needs. 

Samuel. You give me great joy, my son. Thy tongue 
speaks words of wisdom far beyond thy years. I rejoice that 
kingly honors are to fall on a kingly soul, for hereafter the 
flocks that need thy protection will be tribes of men ; thy post 
of duty will be where earth's monarchs meet. 

David. This is a hidden thing ; I do not understand thee. 

Samuel. Thou shalt one day be king of Israel. The Lord 
is displeased at Saul, and has chosen thee to succeed him. Be 
careful that thou forget not justice and mercy, and that Saul 
shall lose the crown through disobedience to higher law. Re- 
member these things, and whatsoever nations make war against 
tbee thou shalt overcome them, and thy kingdom shall con- 
tinue for many generations. 

David. When shall these things be.'' 

Samuel. In good time, my son, in good time. See thou 
tell no man, but perform the duties each day brings to thee, and 
thus prepare thyself nobly to fulfil thy noble destiny. \^Exit.'\ 

David. \_Alone.'\ If this bti possible, can anything be impos- 
sible.^ I, a shepherd, to be a king ! From what a depth to what 



a height ! I am not sure I Hke the prospect, for in a road so 
long there must be rugged steeps as ■well as flowery plains, 
yet it must be true ! 'Twas no jesting tongue that spoke those 
words, but our nation's greatest prophet. I must not forget his 
charge "to tell no man." To do so would be fatal. \_Enter 
yesse..'\ 

Jesse [7c) David]. It has now been many days since thy 
three eldest brothers departed to join the king's army, and I de- 
sire to hear of their welfare. 

David. With thy permission I will go to the camp and 
inquire for them. 

Jesse. You may do so, my son. Bear them my greeting, 
and take with thee also a present unto their captain. Give 
heed to what thou seest, and bring me word how the war 
progresses, and whether our army is likely to overcome the 
Philistines. 

David. When shall I set out on the journey.'' 

Jesse. You may depart at once. Come with me, and I 
will assist thee to make ready. \^Exeunt.'\ 



ACT II. 

Scene I. — The Israelitish Camp. [^Soldiers earnestly con- 

versing.~\ 

Deuteronomy. Look here ! You listen while I talk. 
Goliath is going to get himself into trouble if he don't put 
brakes on his jaw. You fellows may stay here forever, and 
let him strut around and crow, but I won't. I'm a fighter, I 
am. Look at the muscle on that arm ! My grandsir used to 
wrestle with Samson regular. Throw him e\-ery time, too ! 
Why, Samson never got the championship till grandsir got the 
rheumatis ! \^Sees Goliah in the distance.^ Hallo ! thei^e is 
the old blowhard now, over on that hill. Thinks he is safe, 
don't he ! If grandsir was here he would n't be ! 

Goliath [a/ a distance^. I defy the armies of Israel ! Give 
me a man, that we may fight together. 

Deuteronomy. Bah ! think you are smart, do n't ye .'' 
Boys, I feel the spirit of my grandsir rise in its might. It calls 
aloud for goi^e, and gore it must have ! Let me get at him ! 
I'll hew him ! Here, Ephraim, you hold this cloak while I 
go over there a minute \takes off his cloak ^ draws his sxvord, 
ajtd sharpens it on the sole of his sandal ^ rolls up his sleeves., and 
says :] Now clear the track ! I '11 give him a lesson in Marquis 
of Qiieensbury's rules. [ Goes to zving and shouts to Goliath.^ 
Ah ! there ! \_Flourish of trumpets outside as Goliath 
starts toward him. Deut. is panic-stricketi., drops his 
sword., and shouti7ig\ Stay, there ! \Jiides behind a rock. The 
soldiers with hifn huddle together in alarm.'\ 

Jonathan \_Efiters']. Why this alarm .'' Do the vain words 
of a Philistine terrify Hebrew soldiers.'' Men of Israel ! I am 
directed by the king to make this proclamation unto you. At- 
tend ye, therefore, that ye may know his will. Lo ! these forty 
days has the Philistine champion hurled defiance at the armies 
of Israel. Now, therefore, know that the man who killeth him 
the king will enrich with great riches, and give him his daugh- 
ter, and make his father's house free in Israel. The peril is 
great ; the reward is equally great. Who is the man with 
courage to meet the one, to win the other.? 

David. I am ready to meet him, and to take away this 
reproach from Israel. For who is this Philistine that he should 
defy the armies of the living God.'' 

Jonathan. Is it not a rash enterprise for one unskilled in 
arms, as I judge thou art.'' 



David. Give me leave to go, and I will assure thee by ac- 
tion rather than by words. [_£?iter Saul.] 

Jonathan. Here is the king; we will speak to him. O 
king ! Behold before thee a man young in appearance, but a 
hero in spirit. He desires our permission to attack the Philis- 
tine giant, and believes that he has power to destroy him. 

Saul. Thou art not able to overcome so powerful an adver- 
sary. Thou art an untrained youth, while he is a scarred and 
grizzled warrior. No one has ever met him to return alive, 
it is impossible that thou couldst survive the combat. 

David. I fear him not. This battle will be won, not by 
strength, but by the right. The power that saved us from 
Egyptian bondage, and before our father's feet dried up the 
deep Red Sea ; that in the desert sent us bread like dew from 
heaven, and caused the flinty rocks to give forth springs of 
water ; that hath multiplied and preserved us from the days of 
Abraham until this hour; in His name go I to battle, and by 
His might I'll conquer. 

Jonathan. I am convinced, for these sound not like the 
words of vanity, but of one who knows wherein he trusteth. 
Be of good cheer, O king! for there will this day fight on our 
side a greater than Goliath. 

Saul. Young man, you may go, and may Heaven protect 
thee ! Come to my tent, and we w^ill prepare thee for the or- 
deal. \^Exeunt Saul, Jonathan, and David.] 

Scene II. — The Israelitish cajnp. 

Deuteronomy. \_Co?nes from behind the rockr^ Umph ! 
What does that fellow know about carving giants .'' Nothing, sirs, 
nothing ! absolutely nothing ! He don't know" a Philistine from 
a camel ! Now, I do ! You hark while I give you a pointer. 
There has got to be more brains at the head of this ! I and the 
king have got to talk this business over. \_Bngle outside.~\ 
Ah, there ! they are going at it. Hold your breath and see the 
fun! \_Shotits and bugle outside. Soldiers on stage join in 
the shout. ^ Hurrah ! didn't I tell you that boy knew his busi- 
ness .'' I could n't have done it better myself. Come to think 
of it, he took lessons of me ; anybody would know that by the 
way he went at it. As grandsir used to say, says he, Deut., 
my boy, — he called me Deut. for short, — says he, Deut., never 
forget that you are the grandson of your grandsir. Wherefore, 
peradventure — 

\_Bugle — shouts. Jonathan and heralds otter. ^ 

Jonathan. The Philistine is slain. His mightv frame lies 
bleeding 'neath a Hebrew shepherd's feet. The hostile ranks 



8 

arc in dire confusion. We must attack them instantly. Her- 
alds, to your posts, and bear our commandment to the generals. 
Let all the host, except the king's body guard, rush upon the 
foe. Away ! Sound the charge upon them, and let this vic- 
tory be complete and overwhelming. 

Saui. \^Etiters\. Who is the man who hath performed this 
great deed before our eyes this day? 

Jonathan. I know not his name, but all coming time shall 
remember and honor it. 

[David ctitersr^ 

Saul. Who art thou, my son? 

David. I am David, the son of Jesse, and live at Beth- 
lehem. 

Saul. Blessed is Jesse among the fathers of Israel, and 
blessed art thou who hast brought deliverance upon thy race ! 
But I must look to the army. Come to my tent when the pur- 
suit is ended, and claim thy reward. \_Exit.'\ 

Jonathan. David, give me thy hand ! Thovi art a man 
whose friendship princes would rejoice to win. Tell me, wast 
thou certain of the glorious issue, or didst thou realize the ven- 
ture's mighty peril ? 

David. I had no fears. I was so aroused by the impious 
arrogance of the foe, and so sure of supernatural aid, that I felt 
no tremors when the crisis came. 

Jonathan. I ti-embled for thee when I heard his clanging 
armor shaken by his heavy strides, and saw his huge, uplifted 
spear poised in his mighty grasp. But something in thy bear- 
ing stilled my fears, and bade me hope against my judgment. 

David. I felt that something must be done. On that grim 
giant's life the issue rested. When he fell, the craven foe was 
routed, and our armies are now pressing the glorious pursuit. 

Jonathan. David, thou art no longer a private sheplierd, 
but the chicfest among Israel's warriors. It is not htting that 
thou shouldst longer wear thine humble garments. Take this 
cloak, — a token of good-will from a prince to a prince, and 
when thou needst a friend call upon him who gave it thee. 
And this sword, David, 'tis an honest one. Its roughened 
edge bears witness of the fierce blows it has rained on hostile 
crests. Wear it, and in battle's dread extremitv wield it might- 
ily, and let its decisive work renew in Hebrew hearts glorious 
memories of this day's glorious triumph. 



ACT III. 

Scene I. — Shouting hi distance. 

Saul. Shout again, and again, till the echoing mountains 
reverberate through all the earth the glad news of Israel's tri- 
umph ! Away with doubts and fears ! Hereafter with renewed 
lustre will shine the crown I wear. Fie on the prophet's dis- 
mal ravings ! A victory like this does not look as though my 
throne tottered on ruin's verge. Wonderful youth ! Such vast 
achievement ! Such imthought of means ! One moment we 
were in the depths of hopeless despair, the odds ajDpalling, a 
crushing defeat certain ! But, in the twinkling of an eye, we 
are stunned with a victory so sudden ! so complete ! so glo- 
rious ! But I must not delay. The tide of fortune must be 
taken at its flood ! I marked well the adoration the soldiers 
have for this new-fledged hero. I'll take advantage of it. He 
shall be their general ! Thev'd follow where he led, though all 
the world in arms opposed them ! [^Singing at a distance.'] 
What singing is that? Ah! a procession comes this way; 
thev are celebrating the victory ! 

\_Entcr Hebrexv tnaidcns playing and singing.] 

Maidens. Saul hath slain his thousands [Saul smiles]., 
and David his tens of thousands. [Saul starts and frowns.] 

Saul. What's that I hear.'* Do my ears deceive me.? I'll 
listen fiulher ! 

Maidens \_continne sing'ing and playing]. vSaul hath slain 
his thousands, and David his tens of thousands ! \_Exit proces- 
sio n s inging. ] 

Saul. Has it come to this.? To David they ascribe tens of 
thousands, and to me but thousands ! Is David then greater 
than the king? What more can he have but the kingdom? I 
thought of him only as an instrument well fitted to further my 
growing plans. Is he then my rival in the homage of my peo- 
ple? Do they look on him as a favored aspirant for the throne 
of Israel ? V\\ look to it ! I'll look to it ! And if I find 'tis 
true, the blooming garlands he now wears shall wither on his 
tomb ! ^Exil.] 

Scene II. — Saul on t/iro?ze. Guards in position. Bugle — 
enter attendant. Sahttes the king. 

Attendant. Jonathan, the prince, desires to bring before 
thee David, the son of Jesse. 
1* 



10 

Saul [^starts 7ip excitedly^ goes to front of stage ^ and mut- 
ters fiercely to himself '\ . What seeks the son of Jesse here ? 
Is his visit an honest one, or moved by deep laid policy? Ac- 
cursed be the base rabble who but an hour ago ascribed to this 
same reckless youth achievements that out-top the King of 
Israel ! I'll probe this matter to the core, and if within his 
heart I find the slightest spark of growing treason kindled by 
this most foolish flattery, I'll stamp it out, cost what it may ! 
\^Rescats hifuself on the throne.^ Admit them. [Jonathan 
a7id David enter and sahite the king.'\ The son of Jesse will 
advance to the throne and manifest his allegiance to the king. 

Da\'id Sjidvancing^ k^iecls before Saul, and exclainis~\ 
All hail ! and honor to our king ! 

Saul. Thou art a brave man, and by thy valor in battle 
hast won our favor. We have given thee due credit, and before 
the armies of Israel have we this day publicly commended thee. 
What more could a subject ask of his king.? 

David. O King ! Thy servant 

Saul. My ''servant" I took to be a very modest man. 
This morning he came to us clad in the humble garments of a 
shepherd. The sun is not yet set, but by some sorcery un- 
known to us the shepherd's staft' and sling have been trans- 
formed into the sword and buckler of a general. The plain 
linen garb looks now to us like the velvet vestments of a prince. 
Speak, son of Jesse, explain these transformations, and declare 
to us your object, your purpose. Why are you now in the 
presence of the king.'' 

Jonathan. Most noble king and honored sire ! I beseech 
thee be not hasty in judging this man, but rather consider wisely 
and act justly. I am here to vouch for his honor, and to guar- 
antee his loyalty. Lo ! these forty days have we camped here, 
fearing to attack the foe. Every morning and evening the king 
hath heard the jeering cries and fierce challenge of Gath's 
mighty warrior, whom no ten of our veteran troops dared meet 
in mortal combat. Where all Israel's armies dared not go, 
David went ; when Israel quailed, David's brow was calm ; 
when Israel fled, David advanced to battle. Single-handed and 
alone he fronted those fearful odds ; and the hills of Judah still 
echo with the thanksgiving songs of the nation he has saved! 
'Twas not Ambition, but Friendship's hand that decked him 
with those princely robes, in recognition of his princely ser- 
vices. Know, O King, that David wears 77iy cloak and sword, 
which I placed upon him against his wishes, for I loved him 
when I behekl him gentle in peace, but a lion in battle — verily 
one of Nature's noblemen ! 



11 

David. O King ! I am here to crave thy permission to go 
in peace to my father's house. I Hke not the carnage of battle 
and the turmoil of the camp. I am a shepherd from my boy- 
hood up, and among the flocks have I passed mv davs. I have 
been absent too long already, and greatly do thev need my care. 
Bid me, therefore, " depart in peace." 

Saul. Nay, thou shalt not go hence, but shall remain with 
the king, and I will set thee over the army, and thou shalt be 
one of the king's officers. 

\^Enter singers — " ^KVi.Jiath slain his t/wnsands, and David 
/lis tens of t/io/isands."~\ 

Saul. Verily this is treason ! Silence that song ! Disperse 
that procession ! Guards, arrest the traitor ! On him ! Hew him 
to pieces ! \^Guards rush o?i David. Jonathan snatches 
David's sword ^ and hurls them back.~\ 

Jonathan. Back, cowards ! Back, I say ! Lay not your 
hands on the hero of this day's victory ! ere this our armies had 

been routed, and our homes plundered . [ Guards fa/ling 

back, t/ie king rushes furiously at David, and attempts to 
strike hifn zvith his szvord. Jonathan disarms and stops 
himJ\ 

Saul. Who are you that dares resist the king ! 

Jonathan. The Crown Prince of Israel, protector of an 
honest man ! \^Curtain.^ 



12 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. — Landscape. 
[Jonathan and David enter hastily.'^ 

Jonathan. We are safe here for the moment. Let us 
pause, and consider how we may best avoid the king's wrath. 

David. O noble-hearted prince ! I owe my life to thee. I 
was stunned by the appalling suddenness of the onset. Between 
me and death there was but a single arm, a single shield — 
that arm, thine own ; that shield, thy manly breast. O Jona- 
than ! what am I, and what have I done, that a king should seek 
to destroy nie as utterly as the timid hare is destroyed by the 
crushing talons of the mountain eagle? 

Jonathan. Thou hast done nothing to merit such treat- 
ment. I am beyond expression amazed and humiliated to see 
the deliverer of a race murderousl}' assaulted by a king he has 
saved from the disaster of unequal war. I can only explain it 
as the freak of a madman. 

David. Jonathan, I greatly fear that thou hast turned the 
blow aimed at my head only to have it fall upon thine own. 
Better thou hadst not interfered than to have invoked this dan- 
ger on thyself. I am lowly born ; thou art the second in the 
realm. It were not right in behalf of an unknown shepherd to 
imperil the life of Israel's coming king. 

Jonathan. No, no, not so ; rather say that he who would 
not save a friend from unjust death is not fit to be a king. 
\_Iixeunt Jonathan atid David. Enter king and attend- 
ants.^ 

Saui.. He has escaped me, but his days are numbered. I 
must not rest day or night until I have compassed his destruc- 
tion ; for while David lives I am surrounded with perils more 
deadly than the sword of Goliath. \_Entcr Jonathan unseen. 
Saul to attendants.'\ Ho, there! it is the decree of the king 
that David shall die. Go ye, therefore, search him out, and 
when ye find him, slay him as ye would a serpent hissing at 
your feet. Away ! sleep not till ye have brouglit me his head ! 
Fail not ! for your lives fail not. 

Jonathan. Father! father! what have you done? Recall 
that terrible decree ! Beware the blood of an innocent man I 

Saul. Jonathan, my son, why are you blind to the dire 
necessities of this hour? When treason lifts its hissing crest, 
there is no time to talk. Delay is ruin. Strike ! and let not 
the whirlwind outstrip the swiftness of your blow ! Mark ye ! 



13 

David aims to be a king. He seeks to alienate the people from 
us. He is plotting your death and mine. Choose ye ; — which 
shall we give him — the kingdom, or a grave? For, as sure as 
he lives, our throne will fall about our heads, and on the ruins 
of our fallen greatness, yea. on our tombs, he will found a new 
dynasty. 

Jonathan. My father and my king ! if the power that 
placed you upon the throne of Israel has decreed that David 
shall be your successor, there is no power on earth can stay the 
tide of destiny. If, however, there is no such decree, what evil 
can we avert, what beneiit attain, commensurate with the ap- 
palling crime you contemplate? What has David done to merit 
thy displeasure? Has he not done unto thee good and not evil 
all the days of his life? Has he not delivered us from derision 
and defeat? Has he not made the Hebrew name terrible to 
our enemies? Even if he had offended thee, his great achieve- 
ments would deserve thy gratitude. If you should err, let it be 
on the side of humanity, for kindness is the brightest jewel in 
the diadem of kings. 

Saul. My son, you reason well. This much I'll promise 
thee. If nothing further should occur to prove my suspicions 
true, he shall suffer no harm from me. \_Ilxciint.'\ 

Scene II. — T/ie palace. 

The scene is musical and spectacular. The king is seated 
upon his throne. Troops with banners occupy the back- 
ground. Hebrew maidens sing before the king. Orchestral 
music. Grand ballet, with tambourine and songs. David 
plays upon his harp. Saul, insanely jealous, hurls a javelin 
at him. 

Scene III. — HomeofY)A\\v>. 

MiCHAL \_e}nbroiderhig cloak — sings at her work^. I feel 
just like singing to-day. The king, my fother, has promised to 
be reconciled to David. For the present the wars are over, 
and my brave husband, safe from so many perils, will soon be 
home again. I must hasten and complete this robe to tempt 
him to lay aside his thoughts of war, and welcome him to peace 
and quietude. [^S/ngs. Enter Jonathan, ivho listens to 
singings and places cloth over her eyes.^ David, is that you? 
Are you home at last? 

Jonathan. No, it is not David. Sorry to disappoint you. 
He will soon be here, however. \_Takes up cloak.'\ Ah! 
who is the fortunate man? 



14 

MiCHAL. David, of course ! 

Jonathan. Of course ! I well remember, though, when 
my favorite sister occupied her time in making ornaments for 
me. Ah, well ! I am only a brother. 

MiCHAL. Jonathan ! 

Jonathan. Ha! ha! ha! don't take it to heart; I was 
only jesting. 

MiciiAL. I feared you were in earnest. 

Jonathan. No ! no ! My sister, thou art highly favored 
among the women of earth. The man you love is my dearest 
friend. The woman he loves is my dearest sister. The bravest, 
noblest of men ! the tenderest and most charming of women ! 

MiCHAL. 'Tis kind of you to say so, Jonathan. 

Jonathan. Michal ? 

MiCHAL. Yes ! 

Jonathan. I wish I knew of another man who had a sister 
as good as mine ! 

MiCHAL. What would you do ? 

Jonathan. I'd cultivate his acquaintance. 

MiCHAL. Ha! ha! ha! [David enters. ^ 

Jonathan. Why, David ! I am delighted to see you ! 
But David, my boy, what means this troubled look.'' 

Miciial. Speak, David ! Thy looks This suspense 

is killing me ! 

David. I have just escaped with my life ! 

Michal. Thy life ? 

Jonathan. Where? From whom.'' 

David. In the palace. I was playing upon my harp in the 
royal presence, when, without word or warning, the king, fu- 
rious with passion, hurled a javelin at me. It came with such 
force as to become fixed in the solid wood behind me. I had 
no shield, no time. Had he not been blinded with rage, his 
aim would have been deadly. 

Jonathan. Almighty heaven ! Thus rudely shattered are 
our dreams of love and peace ! 

Michal. O Jonathan ! Jonathan ! what can we do.'' 

Jonathan. Do.? Stand by him though all earth be against 
him ! David, on the shores of the great sea are towering cliffs 
that have been lashed by the tides and storms of centuries. Be 
thou like them, — unmoved, immovable. Michal, this is no 
time for tears. The exigency must be met. When murder 
aims at loved ones, love must have eyes and ears. Whatever 
needs be done, whatever happens, save him. I'll to the palace, 
there to check this flood of danger at its fountain head. 



15 

MiCHAL. O David ! David ! 

David. This is not the kind of meeting I have looked for- 
ward to. But hunentations are unavailing. We might as well 
smile as weep. 

MiciiAL. True ! true ! I'll try to be brave ; but, O David ! 
this is terrible ! \_Loud rapping at door.~\ 

David. Ha ! who is that? It may be the pursuers ! Michal, 
look through the lattice and see who stands without.'' [Michal 
goes to lattice.~\ 

Michal. Several armed men- are at the door! 

David. They are the officers to arrest me ! Well ! arrest 
means death ! I don't fancy execution like a common crim- 
inal ! Escape is impossible ! There is no way but this ! 
\_Dra'WS sivord.^ If I must die, I'll have company! \^Loud 
raps.'] Michal, admit them ! 

Michal. No ! no ! You must not fight ! There are too 
many ! Hide thyself in my priv^ate apartment. By the laws 
of the land it is sacred from intrusion. No officer will dare 
enter it without the king's express command. With some sub- 
terfuge I'll send them away, and ere they return, you can escape. 
[^Louder ?'aps.'\ Haste! there is no time to lose ! \_Goes to 
door. Enter officers.] 

Michal. Your pardon, sirs, for this delay. To what do 
I owe the honor of this visit .^ 

Officer. We are here to arrest David. He was seen to 
enter this place, and, in the name of the king, I command you 
to deliver him into our keeping. 

Michal. Seen to enter here.'' 

Officer. He is here without doubt. We have only to 
search the house to find him. 

Michal. Yes, he is here, but he cannot be seen. He is 
sick unto death. Return to the king. You have my answer. 

Officer. Oh, no ! We must take him with us, dead or 
alive. We will carry him upon his bed. 

Michal. Never I Beware how you pass this door! It is 
my private apartment. Within its sacred walls unbidden none 
save the king dare enter. \_OJficers hesitate., and then retire.] 

David \^e7iters]. Brave girl ! Thou hast saved my life ! 

Michal. David, there is not a moment to lose ! Save thy- 
self while yet there is time ! 

David. I will escape at once. I will visit thee as soon as 
possible. Till then, farewell. [ Goes toward the door.] 

Michal. Not that way; you maybe seen. Come to the 
window, where the thick trees will conceal thee from watchful 
eyes. \^Exeunt.] 



16 

Scene IV. — Latrdscape. 

David. Jonathan ! my friend ! my benefactor ! Do I be- 
hold you once again .'' I hardly dared to hope for such a meet- 
ing. 

Jonathan. Thank heaven ! I see you safe ! 

David. O Jonathan, what have I done that here, among 
my kindred and my people, there is no spot where I may lay 
my head safe from the overshadowing horror of an outlaw's 
death? 1 am weary of the world and this ceaseless race for 
life. For me there is, there can be, no rest, till I find it in the 
grave's eternal quiet ! 

Jonathan. David, surely my father will do nothing great 
or small in this matter but he will first show it me. Rest as- 
sured that my vigilance will never sleep while danger wakes 
for thee. 

David. My grateful heart knows that full well ! Thy won- 
drous kindness is the one ray of sunshine that lights for me the 
gloom of life's wilderness. But thy father knows thy love for 
me, and secret instruments of death are ready at his call. [Jon- 
athan shakes his head.~\ You do not think so ? Jonathan, 
I know it. Time and again thou hast saved me from his wrath. 
Should occasion require, you would again. [Jonathan 
nods.'\ The king knows this full well. Experience has shown 
him that heralded vengeance does not reach the mark, while 
secret snares are almost certain. As thou livest, there is not a 
step between me and death ! 

Jonathan. Whatsoever thou desirest me to do for thee, I 
will entirely perform it. 

David. I am sure of it. To-morrow is the new moon. 
The king expects me at the feast. And if he inquire why I am 
not present, tell him I have gone to my own city to attend a 
festival, and that I went with thy permission. His answer will 
satisfy thee whether evil is intended, and by some signal thou 
shalt give me warning. 

Jonathan. I will do as you desire. I'll search his inmost 
soul, and if secret harm for thee lurks in any nook or corner, 
I'll uncover it, that thou mayest live. If on the third day I 
fail to inform thee, know that Jonatlian is not alive to tell thee. 

David, liut you may be watched, and cannot come to me ! 
The signal how shall I know the king's answer, if spies pre- 
vent thy coming.'' 

Jonathan. Go to the plain that is beyond the city, and 
hide thyself near the place wherej am used to practise archery. 
As soon as the king declares his mind, I will go thither with a 



17 

single attendant, as though I went to perform my warHke exer- 
cises. I will shoot three arrows at a distant mark, and bid my 
servant find them. As he runs, I will shoot an arrow toward 
him. If it fall to the ground between me and him, come thou, 
for thou art safe. But if it flies beyond him, the king is thine 
enemy. Go in peace ! 

David. Farewell till we meet again. \_They separate.^ 
Jonathan \_is departi)ig., but suddenly stops^ and says~\ 
David, for thy sake I have dared much. I promise thee I will 
dare everything. We may never meet again, and, before we 
part, give me thy solemn pledge that in the hour of thy final 
triumph, when thy enemies are beneath thy feet, thou shalt not 
forget to show kindness unto me and unto my children forever ! 
David. By the memory of all that thou hast been unto me, 
by the life I many times owe thee, thou and thy posterity shall 
be sacred in mine eyes forever ! [^Curtaln.~\ 



18 

ACT V. 

Scene I. 

[Saul, Jonathan, and others at the feastr\ 

Saul. Where is David, the son of Jesse, that he cometh 
not to the feast, neither yesterday nor to-day? 

Jonathan. He earnestly desired to go to Bethlehem and 
be present at the festival of his tribe. With my permission he 
has gone. He also invited me to bear him company ; and with 
thy leave I will follow, that he may know my kindly feelings 
toward him. 

Saul. Why hast thou done this.'' Know you not that Da- 
vid's prosperity is our ruin; that his life is our death.? I tell 
thee again, as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, 
thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Beware thou 
oppose me no further in this matter. Send, therefore, and 
bring him hither, for he shall surely die. 

Jonathan. Why shall he be slain.? What hath he done.? 

Saul. Traitor ! Thou hast thwarted me for the last time ! 
I'll strike thee to the earth ! [Saul leaps upon Jonathan 
ivith a spear. ^ 

Scene II. 

Saul \_aslecp in his camp^ dreatns of such horrors that he 
starts up in terror and shrieks~\ : Off, traitor ! Would you 
slay your king.? \_A'wakes.'] 'Twas a dream. Oh! when 
shall this horror cease.? I'd rather fight an army than dream 
that dream again. I thought I was on the battle-field, where 
ten thousand unburied men lay staring at the ghastly moon. 
And I heard a voice like the far-off echo of approaching doom, 
cry, " Saul ! Saul !" When, lo ! a procession glided by, and on 
every head there was a crown, and in every hand a sceptre. 
And again the voice cried, "How many.? How many.? Why 
dost thou not number them.?" And I numbered them, and 
there were twenty. And the voice cried, "Behold the line of 
kings that shall come after thee, until the twentieth generation. 
Approach and know him who heads the line." I was about to 
obey the voice, when the procession vanished. I looked around, 
and twenty thousand staring eyes were fixed on me. I cried. 
Who is he that leads yon line of kings.? But the dead all 
laughed in fiendish chorus, and clapj^etl their flcshless hands in 
horrid glee. Crazed by the unutterable horror, I fell upon the 
earth and knew no more. But soon I felt a giant hand grasp 



19 

my throat. I looked up, and I saw David with awful ven- 
geance in his flaming eyes, and his uplifted sword descending 
on my head. In my terror I shrieked aloud, and thus awoke. 
Fie ! why do I tremble so? 'Twas only a dream ! 'Twill soon be 
over. We have the traitor surrounded. This time he cannot 
escape me, and to-morrow he will fall an easy j^i'^y to my 
trained soldiery. But I must sleep, lest mv exhausted strength 
should fail me in the decisive hour of the stern chase. [Saul 
sleeps. '\ [Jonathan enters. '\ 

Jonathan. He sleeps. [Saul moves in a restless manner .^ 
He dreams. \_Sees the crown. ~\ Ha ! the crown. 'Tis ambi- 
tion's shining goal ! The master-prize for earth's master-minds ! 
To win it, man stakes his very soul, and in that mighty hazard 
ofttime loses both. 

Saul \ talks in his sleepy. Day and night the shadow is 
upon me. While David lives no son of mine shall mount the 
throne. 

Jonathan. Unhappy king ! If my stepping-stone to power 
must be the dead body of my soul's sworn and dearest friend, 
then I want none of it ! I would not exchange one drop of 
David's honest blood for all the thrones of earth. \_Gazes on 
the crown. ^ The crimson velvet lining of that crown has a 
seeming softness to the touch, but 'twould press my bi^ow like 
rough and rugged iron. That weight of glittering gold and 
sparkling jewels might even tempt brave men to die, but the 
memory of all the guilt, and crime, and misery it has caused 
would be great mountains on my head. O David ! not far 
from where I stand thou art hiding for thy life — hiding from 
a king who should protect and honor thee ! Cheer up, brave 
heart ! Thy noble form to-night is bending beneath oppression's 
pitiless storm. But ere long the flooding sunshine will behold 
thee erect, on heights of power that envy's arrows cannot reach. 
Cheer up ! Cheer up ! Eternal justice will not always sleep ! 
\^Exit.'\ 

\_Enter David, xvith attendant.']^ 

Attendant \_raises spear to strike him. David inter- 
poses\ Let me strike him with this spear. [David shakes 
his head.'] I '11 not strike him a second time. One sure blow 
will free you from your powerful and persistent foe. 

David. Destroy him not, for who can stretch forth his hand 
against the Lord's annointed and be guiltless. But take his 
spear and cruse of water, that he may know through what great 
danger he has passed. [Attendant takes them.] Now let 
us go. \_Exuent David a^af Attendant.] 



20 
Scene III. 

[Jonathan with attendant — Jonathan i7/(9o/j- tJn-ee arrows.'] 

Jonathan. Go find the arrows, and when thou hast recov- 
ered them, remain there until I call thee. S^Attcndant retires^ 
[David cotncs forth from his hiding-place and boxvs before 
Jonathan.] 

Jonathan \raising him]. David, there is no longer doubt. 
The king is so bent on thy destruction that he even assaulted 
me. Oh ! I had hoped to share with thee the fierce joy in bat- 
tle's fore-front, helm to helm, buckler and shield, the one to 
the other. And then, those delightful, sunny days, when gentle 
Peace smiles o'er the land, in the tall cedar's shade, dancing to 
the quivering harp ! But, alas ! I feel the chilling presence of 
approaching evil. We part — to meet — we know not ever ! 

David. Jonathan, I seek no throne, no crown ; enough for 
me to be thy younger brother, and in that dear relationship to 
walk life's journey side by side. Thy love for me has been 
wonderful, and long ages after we have passed away its mem- 
ory will live in song and story. But I must hasten. Jonathan, 
you will not forget me .'' 

Jonathan. Never ! and do thou remember our covenant, 
whatever life's vicissitudes ! \_They part. Mtisic] 

Scene IV. 

[ Witch's hut ift the forest. Saul and tivo attendants 
cfiter.] 

Saul. Here we are after a wild hard ride across the coun- 
try, and if our directions are correct this must be the witch's 
abode. We'll soon see. \_Approaches the door, but hesitates.] 
Why do I hesitate, while a chilling perspiration courses from my 
quaking frame? My eager soul is bursting with impetuous zeal 
to grasp the future, and with prophetic eye to roam its untried 
vistas. And yet, while the seals of coming time are breaking, 
and its weird scroll is about to open to my burning gaze, my 
startled soul shrinks from the very certainty it has striven for. 
But this wavering is unmanly. I must hasten, for yonder group 
of stars warn me 'tis near the midnight hour, and ere the dawn 
I must be miles away, leading my armies to front the foe. 
[^Raps on the door.] Ho, there ! ho! Awake! come forth and 
bid us enter! \^Woman appears with taper.] [Saul says to 
attendant] Is this the woman? \_Attcndant nods.] 

Witch. What seek ye here at this untimely hour? 



21 

Saul. O woman ! mistress of the magic art, whose potent 
sorceries unbar the horrid gates of death, and summon from 
sHmy graves departed spirits back to earth, bring up him whom 
I shall name to thee, that from his dead lips may come to me 
the oracle of fate. 

Witch. Heaven forbid that I should do this thing. Why 
dost thou lay this deadly snare to compass m}' destruction? 
Surely the king has commanded the death of all who practise 
the unlawful art. 

Saul. Fie on thy childish fears ! Saul is far away camped 
with his army on Gilboa's heights. To-morrow he goes to bat- 
tle. Too many other and weighty matters crowd his mind for 
him to think or care for thee, an unknown witch. 

Witch. Nay, I must not, cannot. 

Saul. Verily thou must ! Fear not ! The king shall never 
know thy secret ! It shall be sacred forever. 

Witch. Wilt thou swear it.'' 

Saul. I swear it. 

Witch. On thy knee, beneath the watchful stars. [^Saul 
kneels.^ Wait thou yonder, I'll call thee presently. 

yScenery opens rcvealhig' a weird cave. After various in- 
cantations the witch says^ : 

Witch. Whom shall I bring up unto thee.'' 

Saul. Bring up Samuel. 

[yl flash of lightning rends the rock in remote eitd of the 
cave, and through the jagged opening Sa?niiel is seen.'] 

Witch. {_Sees him flrst and shriehs with terror.] Why 
hast thou deceived me ? Thou art Saul ! 

Saul. Fear not ! what sawest thou .'' 

Witch. I saw a god ascending out of the earth. 

Saul. What form is he of.'' 

Witch. An old man covered with a mantle. 

\_Saui bows his face to the ground.] 

Samuel. Why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up, I 
who to the grave and eteinal rest have been consigned ? 

Saul. I am sore distressed, for the Philistines make war 
upon me, and God is departed from me and answereth me no 
more, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have 
called thee that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall 
do. 

Samuel. Wherefore then doest thou ask of me, seeing the 
Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy ! He hath 
done unto thee as he spake by me ! He hath rent the kingdom 
out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor who is better 
than thou, even unto David. Because thou obeyed not the 



22 

voice of the Lord, nor executed his fierce wrath upon Amelek, 
therefore hath he done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover, 
the Lord will deliver Israel with thee into the hands of the 
Philistines, and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me. 

Saul. No ! no ! Give me some hope. Blast me not with 
the horrors of thy fell prophecy ! Oh ! now, while earth's founda- 
tion rock seems i^eeling 'neath my feet, he thou my intercessor 
at the throne of Almighty Power. [_T//nnder — Samuel disap- 
pears in Jlame.'] 

Saul. [ With a cry of horror springs up^ and shriek- 
ing\ Come back ! Come back ! \^falls swooniftg o?t the 
ground. '\ 

Scene V. — Battle of Gilboa. 

\_E71ter Jonathan xvith an arrow through his shoulder^ fear- 
ful gash on face. Staggers., feebly brandishing his 
STVord.^ 

Jonathan. One more blow for glory and for country ! 
Let us die like men whose only hope is for an honorable death ! 
With defiant crest we'll front the foe while life's flickering taper 
burns. O David ! my friend ! my flowing blood cements thy 
kingdom ! When thou art king, oh ! do not thou forget our cov- 
enant ! Be thou a father to my orphan children ! \_Dies.~\ 

[ Two soldiers enter supporting Saul. Saul leans on spear. "^ 

Saul. O Jonathan ! art thou, too, slain.? That blood from 
which I fondly hoped would spring a race of kings is spilled, 
and wasted on the dry and barren earth ! My army routed, my 
sons slaughtered, my strength exhausted by fierce battle and 
flowing wounds, whither shall I escape from the savage fury of 
a desperate foe? {^Shouting at distance. 1 Ah! they shout ! 
they come this way ! Qiiick ! my armor-bearer ! Draw my 
sword and thrust me through, for living they shall not take me ! 
Qiiick ! quick! — No.? Then a king, I'll die by the hand of a 
king ! \_Falls on his sword. Philistine soldiers rush on 
stage. Tableaux. '\ 



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